APPAM 2016 Fall Conference Student Resources

Students are an important part of APPAM. Because we value your contributions to the association, we've planned student specific conference events during the Fall Research Conference. Professional development sessions, networking opportunities with policy experts, and student attendee meets-up are what you can look forward to. Here's what's planned for the conference:

Professional Development Sessions for Students

The 2016 APPAM Professional Development Sessions for Students will be held throughout the conference, with programming on Thursday and Friday, to better accommodate student travel schedules. The sessions are aimed at supporting students in all stages of their education, from undergraduate through postdoctoral.

This year’s sessions will feature a series of panels with experts from a variety of professional fields to provide students with advice on their careers, both as students and after graduation. Sessions will include tips for grant writing, presentation skills & data visualization, and bridging the gap between graduation and policy practice.

The Grant Writing Process: Seeking Support from Private Foundations

Thursday, November 3
10:00am - 11:30am
Location: Cardozo

This panel will provide a broad overview of the grant writing process, including the basics of what makes a good grant proposal, preparing grant applications, and the roles of the grant applicant and proposal reviewers. Participants will learn about the tools needed for writing grant proposals and the processes for developing ideas for funding, budgeting, and compliance.

Thursday, November 3
1:15pm - 2:45pm
Location: Cardozo

Hear from experts in both the academic and non-academic sectors on how recent graduates can use the skills learned in school to better disseminate and apply their work in the real (policy) world. Policy professionals will share their experiences and helpful pointers students can use to bridge the gap between graduate school and their policy career path.

Friday, November 4
8:30am - 10:00am
Location: Fairchild East

This session will take an in-depth look at best practices in data visualization and presentation skills among the policy community. Policy professional(s) with advanced presentation skills experience will share their thoughts, experiences, and valuable tips students and newer professionals can use when analyzing information and communicating findings in effective and engaging ways. This session will highlight how skills such as these can give students a competitive edge as they enter the field.

APPAM Equity and Inclusion Fellowship

In an effort to encourage participation by underrepresented students in APPAM and its activities, the Policy Council and APPAM’s Diversity Committee created the ‘APPAM Equity and Inclusion Fellowship’ in April 2016.

The fellowship will support the travel and participation of up to 25 students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds at the 2016 APPAM Fall Research Conference, November 3 -5, in Washington, DC. Information about the Fellowship is available here.

Looking for a spot to charge your mobile device, relax, and grab a quick snack? Come visit the Student Lounge! Charging stations, refreshments, and seating areas will be available for students to network with other students, schedule time to meet with professionals, or answer a few quick emails.

Student Attendee Networking Group

Are you an APPAM student member attending the 2016 Fall Research Conference and looking for other student attendees to connect with? Please join the APPAM Student Member E-List to connect with fellow students who share similar policy interests.

Mentoring Matching Program - New for 2016!

Interested in meeting experienced policy professionals during the 2016 Fall Research Conference? APPAM is excited to announce this brand new program!

The mentor matching program will match student attendees with policy experts to connect one-on-one during the conference. Mentors will be available to offer advice on professional development issues, examine job search strategies, discuss research projects and ideas, and answer any questions students may have as they approach graduation.

This event will serve as a great opportunity for students to connect with policy professionals, forge partnerships, and learn about diverse policy organizations.